terça-feira, outubro 26, 2010

Though $50 won't make all your wildest dreams come true, it's no chump change, either. There's still a lot you can get for $50 these days: a haircut, dinner for two, a tank of gas, a 50-day supply of macaroni and cheese. It can buy a lot of life's necessities and simple pleasures.

Now, just imagine what you could do if you got paid $50 for each hour on the job. (Lifetime supply of mac and cheese, anyone?)

While it may seem like the kind of money only doctors and lawyers make, it is possible to earn $50 an hour in a variety of career paths. Here's a sampling of jobs that pay $50 an hour* (or $100,000 a year, based on a 40-hour workweek, with two weeks' vacation time).

What they do: Computer scientists research everything from computer algorithms to programming languages and software properties. The goal of computer science varies, but objectives may include: improving the ease of computer use, expanding computer functionality and developing artificial intelligence.

What they do: Securities traders typically work at investment banks, managing securities such as stocks, bonds, futures and options for individual and institutional investors

Education: Most securities traders hold a bachelor's degree in finance or other business concentration. Often, securities traders must pass financial certification exams such as the Series 7 and Series 63 tests.

What they do: Adult day care directors manage day-to-day operations of the facility. Responsibilities may include overseeing employees and budgets, developing relationships with attendees and their families and planning activities.

What they do: Physicists study the physical world, with emphasis on the properties and laws of nature such as mass, gravity, inertia and the composition of matter. Physicists may also apply their findings practically, and develop new medical instruments and engineering technologies, for example.

Education: Though entry-level positions can be found with a bachelor's degree, most physicists have a Ph.D.

What they do: General managers are responsible for the overall operation of venues such as amusements parks, restaurants and hotels. They oversee things such as employees, guest relations, budgets, marketing and purchasing.

What they do: A co-pilot serves as one part of the two-part team that makes up an airplane cockpit crew. In-flight duties are usually shared between the more experienced pilot, also called the captain, and the less experienced co-pilot, also referred to as the first officer.

Education: High school diploma, pilot's license.

Average hourly earnings: $52.45

* Salary and education information from CBSalary.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salary info from CBSalary.com based on average earnings in Chicago. All salary information reflects pre-tax earnings.